There’s no better way to welcome the Christmas season than to have Santa and Mrs. Claus stroll down the streets of downtown Cartersville. The Cartersville Exchange Club Christmas Parade will fill downtown Cartersville Thursday, December 6th beginning at 6:00 PM.
This year the parade has a presenting sponsor, Shottenkirk Honda. The Exchange Club is extremely appreciative of this sponsorship because it allows the Club to give more money to the charities benefiting from the parade.
The mission of the National Exchange Club is the prevention of child abuse; this mission is reflected by the local Exchange Club with their selection of charities to receive parade proceeds. All charities receiving donations from the parade serve local children in need; those charities include The Boys and Girls Club, Advocates for Children, Bartow Christmas and the Etowah Education Scholarship Foundation.
The Cartersville Exchange Club has been organizing the Christmas Parade for the last 28 years. The Exchange Club considers it an honor to organize and implement this exciting event. The parade is one of the largest parades of its kind in Northwest Georgia. The parade route remains the same as in years past; turning right onto Church Street from the Tabernacle Baptist Church parking lot, continuing on Church Street, taking a left onto Bartow Street, turning left onto Main Street, left onto Stonewall Street, left onto Church Street, right onto Tennessee Street, left on Howard Street, returning to the Tabernacle Baptist parking lot.
The parade is led by members of The Exchange Club called the “Bucket Brigade”. Club members ask spectators to donate a $1.00 or whatever change they have to help raise funds. If everyone would be willing to give $1 or their pocket change, the Exchange Club can raise thousands of dollars more for these worthy charities. When a child gives a dollar or their pocket change to benefit a child in need, it is a humbling act of kindness that will melt any heart. If the young children are willing to give, shouldn’t all of us, as adults, be willing to give?
Parade watchers can expect a full slate of Christmas floats, vehicles, bands and more. Bands are a big part of any parade and The Exchange Club is always excited to have the involvement of local bands. This year, parade watchers, will be able to enjoy the show performed by the Woodland Wildcats Band in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City. This performance will take place on Main Street near the intersection of Tennessee Street.
Something new this year is an online application and payment option. Those wanting to participate in the parade can visit the Exchange Club website, CartersvilleExchange.com and click on “Christmas Parade”. Participants can fill out their application and pay their entry fee right from the comfort and warmth of their home or office.
Those interested in participating are also welcome to drop off their application and entry fee to Dr. Kevin McElwee’s office, Cartersville Animal Hospital, 109 E. Felton Road. There is a $50 late fee applied after Thursday, November 29th but applications and entry fees will be accepted up thru Wednesday, December 5th.
Floats will be judged in the categories of non-commercial and commercial floats. Winners will be announced on the Exchange Club Facebook page and by local media partners, WBHF 1450AM, The Daily Tribune, Today’s Fax and Hometown Headlines.
We always want to remind everyone safety is our number one priority. It is against parade regulations and City of Cartersville ordinance to throw anything from a parade float or vehicle. Throwing items from a car or float places people, especially small children, at risk of being injured. The parade takes place during night time hours and there are many large trucks pulling floats. These drivers need a wide clearance area to ensure everyone remains safe during the parade.
The Exchange Club would like to thank everyone that helps organize and implement this event. Tabernacle Baptist Church allows us to stage the parade in their parking lot as well as use it for the ending location of the parade. The Cartersville City Council moves their monthly meeting to the morning of the parade so the two events do not overlap. The Cartersville Police Department provides support and safety for everyone involved. City of Cartersville workers clean the streets in the early morning hours after the parade. The Club members would like to remind adults to bring a grocery bag for their trash to help keep our city streets clean.
The Cartersville Exchange Club meets at 12:00PM each Thursday at Johnny Mitchell’s Restaurant. The Exchange Club heads up two large fundraising events each year, the Christmas Parade and the Reverse Raffle which takes place each May. Both events benefit local children’s charities serving children in need.
